Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational Associated Institutions (NASU) at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) staged a demonstration on Tuesday, protesting the Federal Government’s continued withholding of their members’ salaries for the past four months. Under the Joint Actions Committee (JAC) at UNN, SSANU, and NASU expressed their frustration as all attempts and discussions with the government to release the unpaid salaries dating back to 2022 have proven futile.
Carrying placards that demanded the Federal Government fulfill its obligation by paying the withheld salaries, the protesters made it clear that if their demands were not met, they would not hesitate to initiate a nationwide indefinite strike in public universities, holding the government accountable for the consequences.
The demonstrators marched from the Margret Ekpo Convocation arena to the UNN Administrative Block, culminating in the UNN Freedom Square where they chanted songs of solidarity. Noteworthy figures leading the protest included Comrade Linus Akata, Chairman of SSANU, and Comrade Ekene Amu, Chairman of NASU at UNN.
Akata expressed disappointment in the government’s failure to honor the agreements made with the national JAC, including the Memorandum of Action (MoA) that was signed. He announced that on July 18, all SSANU and NASU executives from public universities would converge in Abuja to protest at relevant government offices responsible for the non-payment of their members’ salaries.
Despite numerous assurances from the government during meetings with the national JAC, promises to remit the withheld salaries have not materialized, leaving the non-teaching staff in public universities in a precarious position. Akata emphasized that if the government continues to renege on its commitments, the blame for any nationwide indefinite strike by SSANU and NASU would squarely fall on the government.
Amu echoed Akata’s sentiments, warning the government that the protest was a clear indication of SSANU and NASU’s preparedness to escalate to a nationwide strike if their demands were not met. Exhausting all avenues for dialogue and legal recourse, the unions have not witnessed any genuine effort from the government to address their concerns, particularly the outstanding four months’ worth of salaries.
Encouraging members to stand firm and await further directives from the national JAC, Amu reiterated the unions’ unwavering stance in the face of the government’s inaction regarding their salaries and other pressing issues.
The protest staged by SSANU and NASU at the University of Nigeria Nsukka sheds light on the critical issue of salary delays faced by non-teaching staff in public universities. This demonstration serves as a stark reminder of the challenges these staff members endure due to the government’s failure to fulfill its financial obligations. The resolute stance taken by the unions underscores their unwavering commitment to seeking justice and fair treatment for their members.
As the situation escalates, it becomes evident that the government’s lack of timely action not only impacts the livelihoods of the affected staff but also threatens the stability of the educational sector. The looming threat of a nationwide indefinite strike highlights the urgency of addressing the salary payment discrepancies and upholding the agreements previously made with the national JAC.
It is imperative for the government to acknowledge the grievances of SSANU and NASU and take immediate steps to rectify the salary arrears. Failure to do so not only jeopardizes the welfare of the dedicated non-teaching staff but also undermines the credibility of the government’s commitments to its workforce. The upcoming protest in Abuja signifies a unified front by SSANU and NASU representatives from public universities, demanding accountability and fair treatment in the face of financial hardships.
